How High Blood Pressure Can Lead to Vision Loss

Updated:Dec 5,2016

HBP can harm your eyesight in many waysYour eyes contain many tiny blood vessels. When subjected to the long-term effects of high blood pressure (HBP or hypertension), the following conditions can develop:

Blood vessel damage (retinopathy)A lack of blood flow to the retina leads to blurred vision or the complete loss of sight. People with diabetes and high blood pressure are at an even greater risk for developing this condition. Managing blood pressure is also the only way to treat hypertensive retinopathy.

Fluid buildup under the retina (choroidopathy) This buildup of fluid under the retina, the light-sensitive layer of tissue at the back of the eyeball, results in distorted vision or, in some cases, scarring that impairs vision.

Nerve damage (optic neuropathy) The result of blocked blood flow that damages the optic nerve, it can kill nerve cells in your eyes, which may cause temporary or permanent vision loss.

High blood pressure can lead to stroke which can also cause vision lossIn addition to threatening the anatomy of the eye, high blood pressure is also a cause of stroke, which can impair the optic nerve or damage the area of the brain responsible for processing images.